Longevity of Dental Veneers

At Shenandoah Family Dentistry we want you to understand what veneers so you can decide if they’re right for you. This is important for you to think about before you decide on having them placed in your oral mouth. Fortunately, it’s something we are thoroughly knowledgeable about and hope to help you feel comfortable with your understanding of them as well.

What Veneers Are

Veneers are made from a thin material that covers each tooth. This is a great way to restore your natural smile when it’s suffering from decay, staining, or an uneven bite. However, you’ll need to be careful you don’t damage your veneers next. While they’re made from cemented dental materials, unfortunately, they’re not indestructible. As such, their longevity truly depends on how well you take care of them.

Caring for Your Veneers

While veneers aren’t meant to be a permanent, maintenance-free fix, there are some things you can do to lengthen their lifespan. This begins with following good oral hygiene practice—brushing at least twice a day, flossing, and visiting our office for your regular, semi-annual checkups and cleanings.

It is important to understand that the same bad habits that damage your natural teeth can also shorten the lifespan of your veneers. You can chip and crack them like you would your natural teeth. Repeated exposure to coffee, wine or tea can cause discoloration.

When you play contact sports, you’ll want to wear oral protection (a.k.a. a mouthguard) on top of your veneers. This is because when you get hit in the face, it’s easy for you to crack or chip your veneers. You also don’t want to use your teeth as tools (e.g., instead of scissors for loosening a knot). This is dangerous not only because it invites germs into your mouth, but also because it’s a surefire way to chip a veneer. Make sure you also don’t bite down on hard food (e.g., ice). The same is also true of teeth-grinding and clenching your teeth while you’re asleep (a.k.a. bruxism). We may be able to prescribe a nighttime mouthguard to help you with this issue.

Deciding if Veneers Are Right for You

Unfortunately, veneers aren’t a permanent fix—even if you take all the above necessary precautions. Nevertheless, they’re sturdy enough to last you for between 10–15 years, as long as you spend some time to take proper care of them. Eventually, you’ll need to do some cosmetic repair to them though. You may even need to have a full replacement. It all honestly depends on the type of wear or damage your veneers incur. We will work with you to increase their lifespan, but ultimately it's up to you to protect them.This is just one of the many things you should discuss with us when you’re trying to decide if veneers would be a good option for you. Reach out to Shenandoah Family Dentistry at 540-551-4455 to set up an appointment so we can explore the option of dental veneers for you soon. We’ve helped many patients enjoy and appreciate their new veneers, and we look forward to helping you as well.